Here is a new set of journaling cards for you to use in your Bible — or anywhere. They are free to download right now, but they’ll move to my Digi Doodads site tomorrow soon.

How do you use them, you ask. Many of you have had this question. I’m going to be making some videos, but here’s one way I use them:

Print out the cards onto inexpensive cardstock – you can also do plain printer paper, but the cardstock holds up longer, especially if you are going to doodle or draw on it. 😉 Cut each one out with scissors. (I have a guillotine cutter that makes it even easier, if you have one try it).

Keep the card(s) handy as you study your Bible. You might want to set a certain goal, like to find and study 10 favorite verses. Or maybe you’re in Proverbs this month, or maybe you have a certain topic or word study going. When you’re doing your regular study and you feel that a verse jumps out at you, stop and study on that for a bit. Try to hear what the Spirit is telling you.

Once you have it clear in your mind, select a card. You can either copy the verse, illustrate it, or both! You can use both sides; and these are called JOURNALING cards, so you might simply mark the verse in your Bible as usual and journal about it on the card. You may even want to jot the date down along with the inspiration you received.

To keep the cards on the right page, I recommend using washi tape. You can tape it right inside the Bible where it won’t be in the way and you won’t lose it. Washi tape won’t tear your pages if you decide to re-position it later.

Hi! I know that in this season of busyness, many of us LONG FOR GOD. We are working hard to celebrate Jesus’ birth and yet…and yet. We’re lonely.

We miss Him.

We feel disconnected. Even all the contact with people as we work/shop/order/phone does not fulfill that basic need.

So for the next 24 or so hours, you can purchase my One Step Closer workbook for the amount of “Pay What You Like.” Normally $20, this is a book and workbook in one that will guide you through 7 steps to get closer to God — right now.

Order HERE, without leaving this site. The sale link is through Sellfy, a very safe and popular ordering site (safer than the P one, that is why I chose it.)

If you don’t do anything else for yourself this Christmas season, do this one thing.

Seeking God

This was part of a private message (Facebook) discussion. The person was asking questions about my Get Closer to God course. Unfortunately, there are way too many people who take this attitude.

I’m not griping because she didn’t make the purchase. In fact, I encouraged her not to. The thing is, I want people who buy it to (1) actually work through it – it’s set up in worksheet style, and (2) allow God to help them make a change. If those things are not going to take place, then there is no need to purchase the program.

And if the first words out of your mouth are “I can’t” then nothing will change.

Isn’t the definition of madness doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Why do we do that? We say we are seeking God, yet have not made one single change?

I’m no longer talking about the one Facebook fan, but about myself, and maybe even you, dear reader…

What change have I made to find God

Sans Dieu Rien

Today

Yesterday

This month

This Year

Think about it………

Often the difference between a Christ-like person, a God seeker, and a person who struggles to implement positive changes in life is not the first one’s superior abilities or innate holiness, but the courage to step out and to take steady steps forward in prayer, Bible study, and by surrounding him/herself with Christian thinkers. Seeking God is a continuum.

“Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Proverbs 19:2, ESV

One Step Closer is designed in a way that you will have to spend time on it, and therefore, time in front of the Lord. There was a reason it was created that way.

God wants you to spend time with Him. You already know that. People who want to change have to try things to see what works and what doesn’t. Seeking God requires action.Saying you want to change doesn’t work. You can say it until the cows come home. Actually making a change takes perseverance. It takes courage. And it takes… time. The course forces you to spend a little more time in front of God, listening to God…and as a result you’ll become closer.

I’m not going to go into my rant about ‘time’ and ‘busy;’ I’ll save that one. But there is a saying that goes “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” This is as true in strengthening your faith as in anything else. If you aren’t going to change the way… the time… the steps you take when you relate to God, your relationship will continue to be distant and formal. He didn’t move away, after all– you did.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8, ESV

Seek God Daily

Some people sit and wait for God to come to them in a shimmering epiphany. Others pursue Him as if they’re on fire, spending time in front of Him whether they “see” Him that day or not, constantly chasing after Him, stepping forward steadily.

It’s not a contest, but if it were, guess who’d win?

Maybe He even wants us to struggle, just a little, to get where He wants us to be: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,” 2 Peter 3:9, ESV

Since the only contestant is you, and the prize is a stronger, steadier relationship with the One who is Lord of All, why not change something today? See what happens. I challenge you.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17, ESV

An Invitation to Study Scripture

Hi there!

I feel like I haven’t talked with anyone here in a coon’s age. A lot has been happening…. anyway just this week my uncle Lloyd passed away rather unexpectedly, and at the exact same time I got a new parrot from the local rescue. Actually an old parrot. Actually a really old parrot.

Which meant there was no way to leave and fly up to the funeral.

Which my Aunt Betty said is fine because “the preacher is 82 and the funeral won’t last 30 minutes.”

Go ahead and laugh. I did.

So I stayed home and worked on a new idea for my readers. 🙂

I have decided to utilize the different Bible study methods to see if I can view Scripture in a new light. Some of those methods are:
Word Study
Book Background
Book Synthesis
Biographical
Topical

…. and there are more. I am going to use the Devotional Method for my first one. Here is a video outlining how you can join me for this adventure.http://youtu.be/owlV9yDMDUk

If you’d like to join, please sign up by commenting below, commenting on Facebook, or sending me an email. Also, please share the link. Thanks!

End of week 5
Bible study plan: Come Back to Jesus — and Don’t Bring your Blackberry
I know that by now we should be nearing the end of week 6, but those whom I spoke with have said they are on week 5. So today’s lesson is going to be on pages 65-78. In the video, we will go over 1 Peter 1 so you might want to have your Bible ready.

James 1: 12 says, “blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” It is a good reminder because, as we begin to worship God better, we often experience Satan kicking back at us. Please try to see this for what it is, and don’t let him win!

Remember that:
• True holiness is, both internal and external.
• There needs to be a continuum between who we say we are and how we act.
• We are chosen, just as Jesus is chosen, so…
• We must walk in holiness.

On day 3, we touched again on drifting-this time since we have actively removed a false god. People who have done this can easily begin to drift because of the emotions involved. Remember that the Lord said, “they are my people.” You are his. He is always there for you.

Because of this, he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5). Trust him into your deepest, darkest secrets. Trust your entire self to his care. He will always bring you to victory.

If you haven’t read day 5 of the Bible study, please read it now and answer the questions.

Lord, I thank you so much for those who have joined me here for this study. We have removed false gods, Lord, and we know that you will lovingly continue to show us where our mistakes are and lead us on the right path. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your patience with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[book:Come Back to Jesus-And Don’t Bring Your Blackberry|17293992]

Did you pray for 5 days for someone? Do they help? In other words, I’m wondering if they are still drifting or if you can see some positive motion. Sometimes positive only means that we had a chance to plant a small seed, or perhaps water one that someone else had already set in motion. We don’t always get to see the fruit of our labor.

By now you should have read chapter 3, and you have identified something you are going to give up. This is the hardest week in the entire study. You read some of the things in the book that I myself have given up. The one and keeps coming back for me. All has to do with the computer: spending too much time checking e-mails, too much time on Facebook, and too much time writing in general!

I tend to feel like I didn’t write (because I was busy on Facebook, of course) so I go back to the computer in the evening. Last night I was on it until about 11:15. This has at least 2 negative effects:

it keeps me from spending any cuddle time with my husband

it leaves me feeling very tired the next day, and like skipping the morning writing-which is the most productive time for me.

I’m just giving you this as an example, I know it’s a small one, but perhaps it will help you in determining what and why your false god is a bad thing.

Please read:

Romans 12:1-2

2 Corinthians 3:18

Jesus did not run around from place to place – remember in Matthew when the disciples tried to rush him past the children and he refused to be hurried? He was not performance based.

We need to learn to serve the Lord without distraction. Satan will try to prevent this by redirecting our focus.

So I’m dying to know-what are you giving up this week? Have you decided?

This is the end of week 1/Beginning of week 2 discussion for Come Back to Jesus–and Don’t Bring your Blackberry.

Good morning! How is the study going — any questions? Please post a reply even if you do not have questions, so I know you’re there.

What did you learn from Chapter 1? Did something sneak up on you, something you didn’t consider a time-stealer or time waster before? I hope you had the chance to clear some time this past week and spend time sitting in front of the Lord.

Please remember the following points, all found in chapter 1:

* It isn’t the ‘thing’ that is bad — it’s our attitude toward it

* When we allow false gods to take over, the honor due to God and God only is given away to a person, place or thing in His creation.

* When these things block us and cause chaos, Satan wins through the use of our favorite toys.

Chapter 2 is about drifting. This isn’t an idol, of course, but drifting away from God/ your Christian walk can lead to false gods, and that’s why I’ve included it right up front. Our walk is never stagnant, we are either moving toward God or away from Him.

Father God, I ask you to bless each of these lovely people. Bring them to see with your eyes the whole of their lives; not to hurt them, Father, but to help them come closer to you. Please wrap your arms around each of them this week.

Welcome to the 6-week Bible study, Come Back to Jesus–and Don’t Bring your Blackberry! Have you started reading the book yet? You can get an ebook or the paperback here. I will work from the perspective that you haven’t started reading yet. It’s really important before we start the deep work on our hearts that we realize what idols/time-stealers are. Basically they are wants that become misshapen. They can be good things to start, but they get distorted and that’s when they become bad things. Example: you start going online to look for friends because you feel lonely in the evenings. Six months later you are on there non-stop. A year into it you’ve started an online emotional affair, and your spouse is complaining that he never gets to spend time with you any more. Now it’s an idol. The worst part about idols is we don’t realize we have them. Because of that, many people who need this study won’t bother with it.

My working definition is: “Anything that repeatedly gets between you and your worship of God.” Notice repeatedly! Sometimes people ask if they can do an activity one time, say, miss church to visit family out of town. That’s not an idol – it doesn’t repeat. So of course you can. 🙂

Please begin reading Chapter 1. There are 5 days in each chapter; that gives you Sunday off plus one other day, perhaps you are here on Thursdays so you use that as your other no-homework day. The most difficult homework you’ll have in the entire 6 weeks is at the end of Chapter 1, so be sure to allow extra time for that one.

I’ll be here every Thursday at this time beginning today, but you read/comment as you have time.

Prayer: Father God, I pray that you will use this study as it is intended, to soften and clean each heart so that we can love and represent you better. Help us to hear what it is you are saying throughout the study. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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